Henry Ford's Airport

Ford Motor Company built this airport hangar at Lansing, Illinois in the 1920s. The building is still there and is being restored.
 

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Great to see this ! I just had lunch at The Edison Room at Dearborn Inn two weeks ago. It's now owned by Marriott. Still a nice place.

I started at Ford in '63 and worked in the EEE Building. HF I's Office was always a place to go peek inside. It was still maintained. As far as I know they kept it that way until the building was moth-balled about 6 years ago.

Great history for sure.

Thx

Mike
 
The passenger terminal is long gone, but the hangars shown in the photos are still there and in use as part of the test track operation.

While not as elaborate or large as the Company's Romeo, Michigan test track, the Dearborn track is still a lot of fun to drive, especially the handling course. I've had the privilege of using the tracks several times over the years with some serious cars even though I wasn't in engineering in my years with Ford.
 
They used to fly a windsock at Dearborn Inn I guess as a remembrance of the Airport.
Anyway I grew up thereabouts and never knew that much about the airport. Thanks.
 
mike42,

I was all over the place starting in Ford Division, then Product Development, Parts and Service, Finance Staff, Ford Brasil, Finance Staff again, Ford of Canada, Autolatina, and finally and lastly in Finance Staff once more. Obviously always in the finance function, either in the Controller's Office or the Treasurer's Office.

Dave
 
DavidG.....do you remember Bill Scollard at all. He was my "angel" at Ford if you know what I mean ? You had to have a guy like that to get anywhere. I just played golf with him and he turned 87 last Sunday.

A great guy !

Mike
 
Mike,

You're going back a long way, but yes, the name Bill Scollard does ring a bell. It's great that he's still with us. In Finance, a comparable name would be Ed Lundy, one of the famous "Whiz Kids" who came to Ford after WWII. Ed passed several years ago.

Dave
 
Yes I met Lundy several times. He lived just off rotunda drive. It's a small world huh ?

Mike
 
The Ford Airport was used one last time in June of 2003. All the historic airplanes that where part of Ford history were flown in and landed on the remaining straight areas of the test track. It was an interesting sight seeing a Ford Tri-motor take off from there after the company's 100th Anniversary Celebration.
 
Hi folks,

I'm Mac of Mac's Motor City Garage.com. You have a tremendous forum here with your wealth of knowledgeable people. I lurk here often seeking info for my own Fords ('26 and '32). You guys really know your stuff. Thanks for all you do for the sport, and thank you for looking in at my little blog.

Here are some links to more Ford historical features. (At the site you can also find full coverage of old car events including the Motor Muster and Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village.) I also welcome your suggestions for stories. Thanks again for your interest.



Henry Ford's Railroad

Henry Ford's Soybean Car

58 Bagley Avenue Revisited

The Second Car in the City of Detroit

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